Sole shaping machine



July 21, 1936. .1. 5. BROWN SOLE SHAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12', 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

BY %m/% ATTOERNEY July 21, 1936. J. 5. BROWN SOLE SHAPING MACHINE ATTO July 21, 1936. J 5, BROWN 2,048,595

SOLE SHAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 1935- J. 5. BROWN SOLE SHAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented July 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE Application August 12, 1935, Serial No. 35.735

1'3'Claims.

This inventionrelates to machines for. shaping soles for-shoes .and more particularly, but .not exclusively, for fashioning soles to the correct shape for bottoming women's shoes having Louis heels. This work is generally called sole molding and will be so referred to hereinsalthough, as'will be understood from the following description of the machine and f the methodused for fashicning a fiat sole into one adapted to high shank and high heel work, this invention does not rely upon heavy compression as .used in direct pressure molding but rather alters the shape of the flat sole by a-progressive re-forming of .the leather or other stock of thesole. Shaping .is required in womens work at .the shank of the sole but if desired this invention may be utilized for shaping the forepart of the sole to fit lasts having rounded bottoms. The machine has a wide range for shank-shaping sales for various types of shoesparticularly the soles of cemented or Compo shoes and in this connection, which is of especial importance in the industry, :it .enables Del Mac and like process soles .to he effectively shank-shaped without injury to or distortion of the specially formed forepart .on soles processed in this way.

In high shank and high heel work .the .sole should be provided with a comparatively sharp upward break approximately at the extreme ball line and with an arched shank rearward therefrom, the arch finally merging into .the flat stock forward of the heel seat. The high lines .of the reformed shank stock form approximately a Y with its stem lying centrally along the shank and its branched arms defining a more or less "rounded rear edge of the forepart or tread surface of "the sole. The machine may be used to shape'shanks to any style of last, even to produce the extremely sharp breaks known as a cottage shank. It will be understood that the sole should first be tempered before being deformed. The tempering found to be most .efficient for the 'workof this invention comprises a quick dipping of the sole which is then set for a light mull.

' The molding mull'thus acquired softens the stock sufiiciently to permit the shank .to be progressively-shaped as hereinafter described, particularly "to take the sharper break at the rear .of the fore- ;part and then to retain all characteristics of the new shape even after the natural spring back of the deformed parts upon drying the sole.

The principal object of this invention. is to provide soles with a shank shape as above described for correctly fitting the bottoms of lasts for'shoes of the kind or style havinga pronounced upward curve between the ,forepart and the heel seat, and to the accomplishment of this object and such others as may hereinafter appear, as will readily :be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention comprises the features and combinations of parts and processes of manufacture hereinafter described in detail and then claimed.

The nature and purposes of the invention will be understood from-a description of the preferred embodiment-of the sole shaping machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a-view of the machine in rear eleva- .tion. This View shows the rotation of 'the molding couples as having'beenstopped prior to the ejection of the shaped soles to present :the inset male and female molds in full view.

Fig. 2 is a View of the head of the machine in side elevation, with'the rear roll bearing "housing removed to present a full view of the molding couple'sand sole feeding mechanism. In this view the machine is at rest and a sole is shown in position between the shaping molds;

Fig. 3 is a View, in plan, of the head as shown in Fig. .2 but showing both roll bearing housings and having the upperrolls of the two sole molding couples removed to present a fullview of the heel centering gages; v

Figs. 4 and 5 are'views, in side elevation, of a sole molding couple with a sole passing therethrough at two stages of the shaping operation. In Fig. 4 the molds are just beginning to engage the sole and its :feed to the molding couple is still under control of the toe gage. In Fig. 5 the molds are just completing the Y-break at the extreme ball and the molding couple has taken. control of the .feed of the sole away from .the toegage;

.Fig. 6 is a :view, in elevation, of thetoe gages, showing the center iblock broken away .to expose the connection :to the feed slide;

Fig. 7 is across-sectional view through the center block of the toe gages showing the manner of their adjustment;

Fig. 8 is afragmentary View of a portion of'a recess mold at the'time of laterally arching the shank about the shank ridge of a saddle mold. This is a front view of the molds at a time in the cycle intermediate the showings in Figs. 4 and 5 and discloses how the lips of the recess mold merely bend or set the margins of the shank .down about the saddle ridges without compressing the .stock Fig. .9 is a cross-sectionalview through the .shank of agsoleithathas been skived at itsmar- V minology employed hereinflis for the purpose of description and notof limitation, audit is not ingins emphasizing the shank stiffener seat formed bylthe co-acting recess and saddle molds;

I Figs. 10 and 100. are viewsin plan and in side elevation, respectively, of a sole after its shank has been molded. The dotted lines on Fig. -10 indicate the, shape of the shank ridge and forward- 'ly branching ridges of the saddle mold over which the'stock is deformed by the recess mold to. produce an upward Y-break at the rear end of the forepart;

Fig. 11 is e view, in lan, of we superposed soles, the upper sole being one size smaller than the lower sole, showing the'halfesize'variation at the 'toe'and heel but no variation, in contour at the waist in the region of the complete ball and a, extremeball; and

'tion to, I arch of'the shank that takes place during the 1 Fig. 12 is a view, in side elevation, of a high ,ar'ch shoe with a'Louis heel and bottomed with a f r 'i shank'shapedzsole made according to this invenshow the flattening of the overrnolded sole laying operation. I

' 3 Before explaining the'present inventionin dei tail, it is to be understood that'the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in a 7 the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other' embodiments and of being.

lpractised or carried out in various ways. Also it is toflbe understood that the phraseology or tertended to limit the invention beyond the terms f of the several claims hereto appended as consideredin view of the prior artand the requirements thereof.

' In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings the rolling sole shaping molds of r the machine arefmount'ed in a head lll bolted on legs'fl' l at a'convenient height for positioning.

soles 'on a table'l5bolted'tothe head." There are preferably a' pairrof sole molding-couples mount edin'the head so that a pair of soles may be fshap 'd'simultaneously thus'doublin'g the output invention. 7

'of the machine, 'but'it will'be understood that a .twinimachin e is-not essential to practising the Theuppe'rf or female mold rolls l6 and [6 of 5 lthe two couplesfare mounted on a driven shaft 18 J housings zfl under the yielding pressure of comparatively light coiled springs 22 (about 75 pounds,

journalediin bearings l 9 slidable vertically in side pressure has been found to be efficient) confined i a I between the'bearing'sand a" cap plate 24. The

lower or male mould rolls 26 and 2G','df the-two couples are mounted on adriving shaft 28 douraled in fixed bearings 29 within the housings 20;

7 shaft 31 carries a bevel: gear 38 meshing with a ,The driving' s'haft 28"carries a gear. '30 and the "driven shaft l8 carries a gear .3l of the same size so that'the upper and'lower mold1rolls of each couple are'driven in opposite 'directionsfat the same rate of speed. r r a The drivingimechanism comprises ra master shaft '32 at the lower part ofthe frame having, as ill ustr'ated, fast and loose pulleysl33 :and 34 at onefendfor a' belt drive, but obviously any suitfable motor drive may be substituted. The'other .end ofthe s haftjz carries afbevel gear 35 meshing with a' bevel genes on' a vertical intermediate shaft :31 journaled in bearings projecting from theframe as shown, The upper end ofjthe ibevel gear 39. loose on aprojectingflendj of the driving shaft 28 of thesole molding couples. In-' termediatethe loose bevel gear39'and'the adjacomplete deforming operation. To this end a sole" feeding mechanism is provided that co-operates withtliemolding coupleto control the advance 7 sole; and that the female or recessmold presents a groove having a concaved bottom the side'lips erally branched recess 'complementalto the Y-' slightly to 'cent housing 20 the driving shaft carries the fast 1 member 400i a one-revolution clutch of any suitable type. As here shown the fast clutch member 40 is continually pressed 7 toward the gear 39,

which forms the loose member of vthexclutch, by a 5 coiled spring 4|. The clutch is thrown into operation to turn the molding couples through one revolution by. depressing a treadle v42 connected by a rod 43 to the cam latch usual in this type of clutch. 'After one revolution the clutch is thrown out automatically andthe molding couples are 'always' brought to rest with their male and female molds in the same relative angular position as that from which they started their rotation;

Remembering that this is a sole shaping and ''not a sole compressing operation, that is, the

shank of the sole is deformed by a bending and setting of its stock .whilerin a mulled condition, the-function of the female mold is to progresslvely press-the stockrdown upon and-cause it to takethe shape of the male or saddle mold.: Thus it is important; in such 'a' progressive shaping operation by a rolling couple, to initially position the sole 'relatively to the molds so that the upward break will be made uniformly at the rear 25 a boundary, called the extreme ball, of the forepart' or tread'surface of the sole, whatever its. size. Also of importance'is insurance that the'shan'k will be centered on the saddle mold during the of 'the sole until it is certain that'the molds will complete their deforming operation withoutdan' ge'r of the sole tipping or shifting from itscentered position.

It will be seen from the Sne ea sole illustrated 'by Figr 10 and from the showing of the male and female molds that the male or saddle mold presents a ridge having a rounded top about which ball line orrear boundary of. the tread face of the f ofwhichho-actwith the saddle mold ridge bend down the margins of the shank stock about said ridge, and said groove terminating in a late ridge of the saddle for forming the break at the rearof the forepart. r r

' The twin molding couples, are alike so that the description now following may refer to a single molding couple. Each female mold." and each male mold is formed separately of suitable metal and provides a removable insert on the' upper and lower rolls respectively of the molding couple by 'having its flat base plate secured in a. longitudinal groove 'cut in' the peripheral face of'the roll as shown best in Figs. 2; fl and 5". Each 'molding roll'of a couple has a segment removed the rear ''of its inset1mo1d providing 7 upper and lower flats 52 .and 54' which, when opposed to eachother as When'the machine is at 5 rest (Fig.2) forma'space between the rolls into which the heel of a sole may be slipped in positioning it for the shank shaping operation. Thus the short peripheral surfaces intermediate the rear edge of a roll flat and the forward edge of 7 a moldbase plate constitute the first areas to. grip a sole on startingthe couple in operation. The.

" at 52 is an 'unobstructedplane surface but at" I the center of the flat 54 there is provided a well known type of sole centering device consisting of 4O 7 .the shank. is'laterally arched, which ridge ter- 7 minat'es forward in ja*Y'-ridge for breaking the shank upward'from the'forepart at theextreme a pair of arms each pivotallymou'ntedbut geared together at their pivoted endsto move uniformly toward and from each other with a connecting spring to draw them yieldingly inward. Each arm carries a small heel gage roll 51 at its free end and the usual stop is provided to limit inward movement and hold the gage rolls such a distance apart'as to permit setting the narrowest heel end therebetween. When the machine is at rest the flat 54 on the lower roll of the molding couple is preferably, but not necessarily, in the plane of the table I5.

In order that the sole may be held on the table [5 with the median line of its shank in the exact plane of the median lines of the inset molds, the heel gage is supplemented by a V-block toe gage 56 which is adjustable toward and from the molding couple for variations in size and laterally across the table for variations in style, mainly to adjust for differences in the swing of the last which throws the forepart at a greater or less angle to the median line of the shank.

For a twin machine there are two toe gages 56 and 56' (Fig. 3) having inwardly extending racks 58 and 58' respectively which overlap and ride in the open channel of a center block 59. The rear wall of the channel is formed by a bar 6!) screwed to the center block and extending laterally for some distance beyond each end'thereof. The table has a central longitudinal slot SI, and a short guide plate 62, secured to the bottom of the center block, seats in this slot. Also seated in the slot, from below (Figs. 6 and 7), is a slotted feed slide 63. A bore centrally of the center block receives a vertical pin 64 having a flattened head within the slot of the slide 63 to prevent rotation and a threaded upper end which receives a wing or other releasable lock nut 65. Intermediate the wing nut and resting on the top of the rack channel is a loose adjusting nut 66 having a small gear 61 fast at its lower face which seats in the channel between and meshes with the two toe gage racks.

For shaping a pair of soles for a straight last as illustrated in Fig. 2 the toe gages are in alignment with the inset molds but for shaping a pair of soles for a swing last the toe gages'would have to be moved nearer together. To accomplish this the wing nut 65 is loosened and the adjusting nut 66 is rotated in a direction to cause the racks 58 and 58 to draw the toe gages closer together along the bar as a guide until the two gages are in position for engaging the toes of the soles while still maintaining the median line of the shank in direct alignment with the inset molds. Thereupon the wing nut is tightened and the toe gages are again clamped to the feed slide 63.

To adjust the toe gages for difierent sizes of soles the wing nut is loosened as before and the center block is moved toward or from the molding couples in the slot of the feed slide 63. The bar 60 has a pointer at one end which indexes on a size scale 68 screwed to the table l5. This will be referred to again later.

An eccentric 10 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) is mounted on the driving shaft 28, conveniently between the two molding couples in this twin machine, in line with the table slot 6|. The eccentric strap 12 has a rearwardly extending pitman 14 pivotally connected to a lever 16 pivoted by its lower end to the machine frame. The upper end of the lever 16 is, in turn, pivotally connected to the forward end of a link 18, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to'an ear depending from the feed slide 63 supporting the toe gages. Rotation'of the eccentric causes the slide to reciprocate once in the slot 6| for each cycle of operations of the machine.

It is not necessary to change the inset molds when the size of the sole to be shaped is changed but it is highly important that the starting point of the shank shaping operation on the sole be changed as the size changes to insure that the finish point or upward Y-break will be formed on soles of all sizes at the extreme ball or rear boundary of the forepart. The Y-ridge at the peak of the saddle mold and the complemental spread at the following end of the recess mold are wide enough to care for all widths of soles so that an adjustment for length makes the machine universal. Remembering that the curvature at the center ball and extreme ball of a series of soles of the same width is precisely the same on all sizes and that only one-half of the increase in length comes at the forepart or between the Y- break and the toe (see diagram of Fig. 11) it will be understood that it is necessary to move the toe gages back only one-half size for each full size change in soles to be shaped in order to insure that the extreme ball of the sole, whatever its size, will always be at the same distance from the molding couple before the cycle of operation starts. Thus for each variation of a single size the heel end of the sole will project one-half size further into the heel centering gage and the molds will start their shaping operation one-half size further forward on the shank, but will uniformly complete their shaping operation with the Y-break forming the rear boundary of the forepart or at the extreme ball.

Describing now a cycle of operations; at the time the sole is positioned the saddle and recess molds are in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the roll flats 52 and 5d are opposite each other and the eccentric 16 has turned through about 30 of its forward stroke so that the feed slide 63 will be advanced by the faster portion of its stroke immediately the clutch is thrown in; It will be observed here that the pitman 14 is adjustable so that the pointer on the rod 60 may be calibrated with the scale. The toe gage having been set for the size and swing of the sole to be shaped the heel end of the sole is slipped between the flats which provide a space to receive it and is centered relatively to the molds by the yielding heel gage rolls 5'! on the lower fiat 54. The sole at the same time is drawn back seating its toe within the V of the previously adjusted toe gage 55 thus determining alignment of the shank with the ridge of the saddle mold 50. This setting also presents the sole, whatever its size, in a feed position with relation to the length of the molds such that the Y-break will necessarily be formed at the rear boundary of the forepart tread face.

The clutch is thrown in and the action of the machine during the single revolution of the sole molding couple is as follows. The heel gage draws away from the sole when the rolls begin to rotate but during this period the sole is positively advanced in time with the advancing molds by the advancing toe gage. Almost immediately the heel end of the sole is seized between the short portions 80 of the peripheral surfaces of the mold rolls that lie intermediate the flats and the molds. When the sole is thus gripped the bearings of the driven shaft l8 lift slightly against the springs 22 from their seatings on the bearings of the driving shaft 28 thus holding, the sole firmly, but without compression,flin its shank-aligned position relative to the molds. Immediately therelatter portion ofthe' molding operation the sole is -by the grip of the after the sole is gripped, :under presslnfe .01? the V springs322,;adjacentits breast .line'by-the forward ends of the two molds, the lips'rof the recess mold '7 ward overthe saddle ridge-'asztoanzoduce an-over-f molded arched shank that will be retained .even

thereafter closing .down progressively, upon the shank ridge of thesaddle mold; first bending the margins of the shank-down gradually :where the saddle ridge is widest and then sosharply .downafter the stock has sprung back upon drying. .Fig.

4 shows that the position of the sole during this period is still under control of theadvancing toe gage. If the toe were released while the shank is being laterally arched any difference in the condition of the :stockat one side-orthe other-of the shank, or some other difliculty that would require *morepressu're on one side than :the other,

tends to twist or tip thesole from its true relation tothe molds, but by retaining the toe in its V- gage 'a shift'or misplacement of the sole during 7 this period is prevented. The positive control of the position of the-sole-is' retained until the shapinghas progressed .so Eartha-t the sole cannot shift between the molds. The eccentric motion slows .up the feeding'speed just prior to the setting of the sole-stock between the branched ridges and recesses of 'the'molds for producing theterminating Y-breakso that atthe time this break is made the moldshave drawn the sole away from its'toe gage which is then about to start its back carried through the machine molding couple, 1

Beyond the two complemental molds the rolls of the couple may have cylindrical surfaces where the forepart-of the sole is to be flat or; as illustrated, they may'have convexed and .concaved peripheral surfacesto curve-the forepartto any degree 7 required for fitting to a rounded last bottom." It

is within the scope of-this invention to shape these portions of the molding rolls to suit any type of sole to be molded, for example, a sole having a thick center and skived margins "at its forepart V such as Del Mac process solescan'be handled perfectly by increasing the depth of theconcavity of the upper roll sufficiently to receive the thick center,re1ying them upon the grip by the ends of theroll for feeding. 1 r 7 While the forepart is riding through the molding couple the eccentric or other cam motionas maybe desired causes the toe gage .to travelback lonthe table and finally, when the clutch is disconnected, stop at the point'opposite the scale from which it started. The shaped sole is mean- Iwhile dropped from the molding couple, into a basket at th rear of the "machine. During the whole of the shaping operation the comparatively light pressure under which the recess mold is held, while crowding the stock down and shaping it to the shank ridge and peak of the-saddle mold, permits the upper roll to lift -wheneverit is necessary to ease the sole over a tightplace.

.It will be seen on comparing Fig.12 with-Fig. IOathat the arch of thezshank inlthe shoe is much "flatter than the arch as shaped by this invention. As heretoforestated the shank is purposely overmolded :first to compensate forthe natural spring back of the stock but-more especially to insure a fine, tight-edged shank :on'the .slioe due to the fact that the iovermolded arch of the shank will be flattened against the last at the solelaying operation.

Those skilled in the art will recognize -many advantages [from using the teaching of 7 this. in-

s new, is:-

iventionin the shaping of, soles for high :-heel and high. archwcrk. With merely slight adjustment all :lengths and :widths can be shaped with a singlerset of :co-mplemental molds. Only a light feeding :pressure is employed thus preventing any glazingof thefiesh' side of sole leather, asioccurs with direct pressure sole molding, and eliminate ing a succeeding operation to :prepare the fiesh side for cement when the sole is used in compo shoes, a "very large field of use for} these soles.

' The :-m0lding couple can be adapted to'anyfore-r part without damage to the sole as would occur with direct pressure molding. Shaping by ,pro-

gressive pressure iseasierpon the stock, the shape imparted bythe molds is held better and there is lesslspring back than when direct pressureis used. Speed of operation or outputfrom the machine is greatly in ,excess of what canmbe ob-' tained from a :direct pressure machine. It has not been possible, by the use of direct pressure,

to :produce the sharply defined breaks, essential to fine shoemaking that can be and are :pro-

duced :by this machine utilizing progressive pres- :sure.

The nature .and scope of the invention having been indicated and *its preferred machine embodiment, operation and use, as well as the underlying lessential process of manufacture having been specifically described, what is claimed as 1. A soleshaping machine having, in'icombination, .two rolls forming a, rotary shank mold.-

ing couple having opposed co-acting'male and femaleshank shaping :molds covering a portion of the .peripheryof each roll-adapted to seize a'sole inserted-between'them and to progressively shape 7 its shank portion as the sole passes through said couple, means forrotating the rolls of saidcouple, and .means for so :locating the heel .end of a sole betweensaid rolls as to cause. said molds to seize thesole'at such .a point relatively to the heel that :they will :leave the sole at a pre-determined point relatively to the forepart;

:2. i'Asole shaping machinehaving, inicombination, a rotary shank 'molding couple having peripheral male and female molds forgripping and feeding a 'solethrough the rolls of thecouple and complementally shaped for forming an' archedshank on the sole'sterminating at its forward endlin an upward Y-br'eak, means for rotatingthe couple, and means for feeding a sole to'therolls of the couple in timed relation to the rotation of said rolls" and insuring that the. "shank is gripped Iby said molds at a point such that the 'Y-break is molded at the rear end of the forepart.

3. A soleshaping machineaccording to claim 7 in which said "sole feeding means continues to function until after the moldshave grippedtthe sole and is then discontinued.

. 4. A sole shaping machine having, in combination, .a molding couple consisting ,of a pair'of rolls presenting peripheral male' and female shank shaping molds' for progressive co-action -on a sole passing between them, the peripheral surfaces of said rolls being provided with flats in advance of their'molds presenting, when at rest, a -space Within which the heel end'of a'sole V to be molded :may initiallybe set, and means for rotating said rolls at the same speed and in .op-

posite directions to caus'e their molds to engage fandito progressively shape the shank of the sole as it is fed forward'by said rotary molding couple. a 5. A machine for shaping soles oil the shoe having, in combination, complemental male and female molds each pivotally mounted one opposite the other and shaped for imparting an upward Y-break at the rear of the forepart of the sole and a lateral arching of its shank, means for locating a sole between said molds, and means for rolling said molds in opposite directions to close upon the opposite faces of the sole and to progressively impart the shape of said molds thereto.

6. In a machine for shaping soles off the shoe, a pair of co-acting pivotally mounted male and female molds shaped for imparting an upward Y-break at the rear of the forepart of the sole and a lateral arching of its shank, means for causing said molds to progressively engage a sole lengthwise between them to shape its shank and forepart, and heel and toe gages between which the sole is set for initially positioning it relatively to said molds to insure the correct location of said Y-break.

'7. In a sole shaping machine, a rotary molding couple, one roll of the couple having a saddle mold at its peripheral surface and the other roll having a complemental recess mold at its peripheral surface for closing on and then leaving the saddle mold during one revolution of the molding couple, said molds being formed and related to progressively laterally arch the shank terminating in an upward Y-break at the rear of the forepart of the sole as it rides through said rotary molding couple.

8. In a sole shaping machine according to claim '7 said saddle mold having a rounded ridge extending from said Y-break rearward and said recess mold having a concave channel co-acting with said saddle ridge, and means for holding the shank upon the saddle ridge under pressure between the molds producing an elongated seat at the center of the shank for receiving a shank stiffener, said recess mold having side lips spaced for bending the margins of the shank stock down at each side of said shank stiffener seat without pressure against the saddle mold.

9. A sole shaping machine comprising a rotary molding couple, a male shaping mold at the pcripheral surface of one roll of the couple, a coacting complemental female shaping mold at the peripheral surface of the other roll of the couple, means carried by one of said rolls for initially positioning the heel end of the sole between said rolls with its median line central with respect to said molds, means for rotating the couple, and means for feeding the sole forward until after it has been gripped by the molds.

10. A sole shaping machine comprising complemental molds for shaping the shank, means intermediate said molds for engaging the heel end of the sole and setting its shank centrally relatively to said shaping means, means for advancing the sole to said shank shaping means, and means for maintaining said shank central relatively to the molds as it is advanced.

11. A sole shaping machine according to claim characterized by a toe gage movable forward with the advancing sole for maintaining said shank central relatively to the shaping molds while said shank is being shaped.

12. A sole shaping machine comprising a rotary molding couple having a male mold on one roll and a female mold on the other, a table for supporting a sole to be shaped, a fiat on each roll in advance of its mold, oppositely facing when the machine is at rest and presenting a space at the inner end of the table for receiving the heel end of a sole, a heel centering gage carried by one of said flats, a toe gage on the table for insuring operation of the molds on theshank, means for rotating the molding couple to advance its molds upon the sole, and means for advancing the toe gage until the centering may be preserved by the grip of the molds upon the sole.

13. A sole shaping machine comprising a pair of rotary molding couples, a table for supporting a pair of soles for simultaneous shaping by said molding couples, a heel gage associated with each couple for setting the shank of each sole in position for shaping by a molding couple, a pair of toe gages on said table, and means for adjusting said toe gages toward and from each other.

JAMES S. BROWN. 

